This photo provided by The Iowa Department of Public Safety shows Kathlynn Shepard, 15. Authorities said Tuesday, May 21, 2013, a man suspected of abducting Shepard and a 12-year-old girl from a bus stop in central Iowa has been found dead, but a search continues for Shepard. Authorities said the 12-year-old girl was able to escape and ran to a nearby rural residence for help. (AP Photo/Iowa Department of Public Safety)
(The Associated Press)

DES MOINES, Iowa – Investigators searching for a 15-year-old Iowa girl who was abducted this week have recovered her backpack along with one belonging to a 12-year-old who escaped from the kidnapper.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said a search team of police and dogs found the backpacks Tuesday afternoon.

Kathlynn Shepard and the 12-year-old girl were abducted Monday by 42-year-old Michael Klunder while walking home from school in Dayton. The backpacks were found in a rural area, several miles south of a hog confinement where the girls were taken.

Police say Klunder was found dead of self-inflicted injuries hours after the 12-year-old escaped. Police are searching for Kathlynn around Dayton, about 60 miles north of Des Moines.

Investigators also released an image of Kathlynn exiting a school bus, shortly before her abduction.